Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links that earn this website a small commission, at no cost to you.

 

Here you will find material for Experiment 10 - Periodicity and the Periodic Table. This includes detailed guides for the pre-lab, data sheet, post-lab, and quiz questions. Experiment 10 will illustrate the periodic table and periodicity. Remember, the lab may change or be modified from semester to semester!

Experiment 10 is broken up into five main parts - A. Physical Properties, B. Oxides and Hydroxides of the Elements, C. Reactivity of a Metal Group, D. Reactivity Across a Period, and E. Reactivity of a Non-Metal Group.

Each of these parts will demonstrate characteristics and trends of elements on the periodic table. More details of each section is given below.

 

A. Physical Properties

This part will be completed outside of lab. It has you completing a partial periodic table describing elements’ appearance, melting, and boiling points. From this, you will be asked to predict the trends and unknowns based on their location on the periodic table.

B. Oxides and hydroxides of the elements

This part will have you have you test solutions of oxides and hydroxides of elements using litmus paper. Depending on the color change, you will then determine if the solution is acidic or basic.

c. reactivity of a metal group

This part will have you observe the reactivity of lithium, sodium, and potassium with water. This will illustrate the reactivity down a column (group) on the periodic table.

 

D. Reactivity across a period

This part is similar to part C but will have you examine the reactivity of Magnesiium, Aluminum, Silicon, Phosphorus and Sulfur with water and acid. This will illustrate the reactivity across a row (period) on the periodic table.

E. Reactivity of a Non-metal

This part will have you observe the reactivity of the nonmetals chlorine, bromine, and iodine. This column of elements are also known as the halogens. This will illustrate the reactivity down a column (group) and also give the reactivity compared to each other.

 
 

what you need

Below or a list of items you will need for lab. These items can be bought at the campus bookstore and from UH American Chemical Society (ACS). However, you may find these cheaper on sites like Amazon (links below).

 
count-2895002_1280.jpg

CALCULATOR (LINK)

A scientific calculator is needed for calculations on quizzes. Some labs have calculations that need to be turned in before leaving.

download.jpg

LAB GOGGLES (LINK)

Required eye protection. Must be worn at the start of the experiment and until leaving

4627233065_105e548bce_b.jpg

COMBINATION LOCK (LINK)

A combination lock is required to lock your equipment drawer for the semester.

 
734px-Lab_coat_and_scrubs.jpg

LAB COAT (LINK)

A lab coat is required and must be worn once lab begins.

3387315147_53bb1b0522_b.jpg

LAB MANUAL (LINK)

Specifically, General Chemistry Laboratories A Freshman Workbook. The lab manual will have all the experiment procedures you will be performing during the semester including their respective datasheet and postlab questions

 
 
 

what to expect

The information provided below are things you will need to know and understand to complete this experiment successfully. We have also included parts of the lab that may give you difficulties, potential bottlenecks and workarounds so you can finish the experiment efficiently. Remember, the information given by TA should have the highest importance and supersedes all information provided on this page.

 

bottlenecks

This experiment may look very long but is actually quite short if the parts and tasks are split up and done ahead of time.

Complete Before Lab

You can complete or answer many parts of this experiment before lab using your textbook or online resources

  • Part A. Physical Properties: ALL

  • Part B. Oxides and Hydroxides of the Elements: #7

  • Part C. Reactivity of a Metal Group: #11

  • Part D. Reactivity Across a Period: #13

  • Part E. Reactivity of a Non-metal: #15

 

Split Tasks

Nearly all parts of this experiments are quick having you mix things together and writing down your observations. This can be done efficiently if parts are split among lab partners and the data shared. However, doing this will prevent observing all reactions and trusting your lab partner to accurately convey and record what happened. Always keep this in mind when splitting up tasks.

 
 

Things to Focus on

periodic table of elements

Understand the jargon and different parts of the periodic table. The rows are periods. The columns are groups. Know certain groups (e.g., Group 1 = Alkali metals) and certain areas (e.g. non-metals). These groups and areas will have similar characteristics. All this will help you understand the properties and trends.

Click to enlarge

 

Click to enlarge

Periodicity or periodic trends

Understand the general periodic trends. These trends can then be used to extend and understand other trends like reactivity.

 

safety

Pay attention to these following. They may show up on your quiz.

  • Dry Ice - handle with tongs and gloves

  • Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) react violently with water

  • Halogens are toxic. Used in this lab are Cl (chlorine), Br (bromine), and I (iodine )

  • Get rid of cyclohexane in the organic waste bottle. This most likely can be found around the hood.